How many passengers can a commercial plane carry?

What are the largest capacity commercial planes (international aircraft) and popular private jet capacities?

The Airbus A380 can the most passengers of any widely used commercial jet with up to 853 passengers in an all-economy layout, while the Boeing 737-800 typically seats around 162 passengers. Commercial planes have diverse passenger capacities depending on the model and configuration. Here are specific capacities:

Airbus A380: Up to 853 passengers in an all-economy configuration, typically around 525 in a three-class layout.
Boeing 737-800: About 162 passengers in a two-class configuration.
Airbus A320: Typically seats around 150 passengers in a two-class configuration.
Boeing 777: Can carry approximately 396 passengers in a three-class layout.
Bombardier CRJ900: Around 76-90 passengers.

For example, the Boeing 777-300ER, used for long-haul international flights, usually accommodates about 396 passengers, making it suitable for high-demand routes. The diversity in passenger capacities allows airlines to optimize aircraft selection based on route demand and flight duration.

Read our full article on the biggest planes in the world for more details.

Planes with the greatest passenger capacity

How big are commercial planes (maximum passenger capacity)

Airbus A380-800

Maximum Capacity: 853 passengers

The Airbus A380-800 is the world's largest passenger airliner, capable of carrying up to 853 passengers in an all-economy class configuration. The aircraft has a typical range of 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km). It made its first flight on April 27, 2005, and entered service with Singapore Airlines on October 25, 2007. The A380 features a double-deck, wide-body design and is powered by four Engine Alliance GP7200 or Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines. Despite its impressive size and capabilities, production of the A380 ended in 2021 due to declining sales, with a total of 251 aircraft delivered.

Boeing 747-8

Maximum Capacity: 660 passengers

The Boeing 747-8 is the latest and largest variant of the iconic Boeing 747 series, often referred to as the "Queen of the Skies." It was introduced on February 8, 2010, featuring a stretched fuselage, redesigned wings, and more fuel-efficient engines. The 747-8 has a range of 7,730 nautical miles (14,320 km) and can accommodate up to 660 passengers in an all-economy configuration. The cargo version, the 747-8F, is popular among freight operators. The final 747-8 was delivered in January 2023, marking the end of the 747 program.

Boeing 777-300

Maximum Capacity: 550 passengers

The Boeing 777-300 is a long-range, wide-body aircraft and a member of the Boeing 777 family. First introduced on June 16, 1995, the 777-300 has become one of the most successful twin-engine wide-body airliners. It is known for its high passenger capacity, seating up to 550 passengers in a single-class configuration, and has a range of up to 7,370 nautical miles (13,650 km). The 777 family is favored by airlines for its fuel efficiency and reliability, particularly on long-haul routes.

Airbus A340-600

Maximum Capacity: 475 passengers

The Airbus A340-600 is a long-range, four-engine wide-body commercial aircraft and the largest member of the Airbus A340 family. Introduced on March 23, 2001, the A340-600 was designed to compete with Boeing's 747 series and can carry up to 475 passengers in a high-density configuration. The aircraft has a range of 7,900 nautical miles (14,600 km) and is known for its extended fuselage, making it one of the longest commercial aircraft in the world. Despite its capacity, the A340-600 was eventually overshadowed by more efficient twin-engine aircraft, leading to a decline in orders.